Chapter 7 - THE NUMBERS UNDER THE FAMILY PORTRAITS
The public land records answered part of Erin’s question.
The mansion had been refinanced twice after Robert’s death.
The second transaction, in 2023, included a substantial home-equity borrowing secured by Brenda’s property.
Derek’s name did not appear as an owner.
That meant Chloe still needed to know what happened to the money.
She did not call him.
Rebecca advised her to request information only relevant to Chloe’s own financial exposure and marriage.
Derek provided some voluntarily after realizing silence was making everything worse.
They met at Rebecca’s office.
No Brenda.
No mansion.
No staircase.
Derek looked terrible.
“I should’ve told you.”
“Yes.”
“I thought I could fix it.”
“What did the 2023 money pay for?”
Derek stared at the conference table.
“My business.”
Chloe frowned.
“You work for Talbot Insurance.”
“I do now.”
The words landed heavily.
Derek explained.
Before joining Talbot, he and a college friend had launched a luxury property-management company.
High-end vacation rentals.
Estate staffing.
Private concierge services.
It looked successful online.
It was not.
They lost two major clients.
Then a contractor dispute became litigation.
Derek borrowed from Brenda.
When that ran out, Brenda used the mansion to obtain more cash.
“How much of the loan went to you?”
“About one hundred and eighty thousand.”
Chloe’s throat tightened.
“You told me your old company broke even.”
“I was ashamed.”
“So your mother is behind on her house because she financed your failure.”
“Not entirely.”
“But significantly.”
“Yes.”
Derek rubbed his forehead.
“I’ve been paying her back every month.”
“How much is left?”
He did not answer.
“Derek.”
“Most of it.”
Chloe sat back.
Three things she had previously considered unrelated suddenly looked connected.
Derek’s obsession with appearing financially comfortable.
His refusal to discuss Brenda’s accounts.
His growing interest in Chloe’s condo proceeds.
Still, something bothered her.
“If the mansion is that far underwater, forty-five thousand doesn’t solve it.”
“It buys time.”
“For what?”
“A refinance.”
“With me guaranteeing it.”
Derek looked up.
“With your income included, the lender’s ratios worked.”
Chloe stared at him.
“You did the math.”
He closed his eyes.
“Yes.”
“How long before the wedding?”
No answer.
“How long?”
“Three months.”
Chloe felt physically cold.
Three months.
Before the invitations were mailed.
Before her dress fitting.
Before Derek toasted their “fresh start.”
The refinance was not a panicked idea from the morning after the wedding.
May you like
He had been building toward it while Chloe was planning centerpieces.
And Derek still had not explained why Brenda screamed for him to stop Chloe from leaving with the bag.
